The Associated Press reported in 2009 that as the housing crisis pushed condo values into a free fall, some condo and homeowners associations began raising fees and then foreclosing on residents who couldn’t pay.

“The old rules of engagements have changed,” said Donna Berger of Katzman, Garfinkel & Berger in Fort Lauderdale, who was not involved in Ramcharitar’s case told Florida Today. “What I am saying is, associations should absolutely take advantage of some of the tools at their disposal. The goal is not to be punitive but they have to make an attempt to recoup their losses.”